Foot-propelled vehicle



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l e. e J MILLAR. FOOT PROPELLBD VEHICLE- N0.577,826. Patented Feb. 23, 1897,

NITED 'TATES GEORGE G. J. MILLAR, OF GROVEPORT, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OFONE-HALF TO LUKE G. BYRNE, OF OOLULWIBUS, OHIO.

FOOT-PROPELLED VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 577,826, dated February23, 1897.

' Application filed September 9, 1895. Serial No. 561,982. (No model.)

T at whom it TIM/Ly concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE G. J'. MILLAR, acitizen of the United States,residing at Groveport, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Foot-Propelled Vehicle, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to that class of footpropelled vehicles known aspolycycles, and is in the nature of an improvement on the vehicle shownand described in another pending application, Serial No. 547,267, filedby me April 26, 1895. 1

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel and superiorconstruction of frame or body which is braced and strengthened by whatis known as the diamond principle.

Another object is to provide a novel system of levers and drivingmechanism whereby the machine is adapted as well for hillclimbing andpropulsion over rough and uneven roads as for level and speedy riding.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a simple, reliable, andefficient steering mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the courseof the subjoi ned description.

The invention consists in certain novel features and details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the drawings, and finally embodied in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the improvedvehicle complete. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the same.Fig. 3 is avertical transverse section through the machine. Fig. 4is adetail front 0 elevation, partly in section, showing a portion of thesteering apparatus. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective Viewshowing the connection between the speed-levers and the mainsprocket-shaft. Fig. 6 is a detail longitudin al section enlarged,showing the brake mechanism. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail side elevationshowing one of the power-levers, its operative connection with the mainsprocketshaft, and its means of support.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the frame of the improvedvehicle is constructed from steel tubing of the proper size and gage forobtaining the necessary strength and stiffness, and comprises a pair oflower horizontal bars 1, which are spaced apart a distance equal to thedesired width of the finished machine and arranged in parallel relation.The bars 1 are connected at their front ends by a transverse horizontalbar 2 and at their rear ends are provided with antifriction-beariugs 3,in which is mounted the main driving-shaft 4, upon the opposite ends ofwhich the main carrying-wheels 5 are rigidly secured. The parallelbase-bars 1 are also connected at suitable intermediate points by meansof transverse bars 6, 7, 8, and 9 for further stiffening andstrengthening the lower horizontal portion or base of the completeframe. In order to give the desired elevation to the base-frame abovedescribed, the bars 1 are given a bend at the point 10 and inclineddownwardly and rearwardly to the axle 4.

11 designates a pair of longitudinal bars arranged at a suitabledistance above and in vertical alinement with the base-bar 1 and for themost part in parallel relation thereto, said bars 1 and 11 beingconnected and braced relatively to each other by means ofreverselyinclining braces 12, the rear pair of which incline rearwardlyand connect with the bearings 3 on the main driving-shaft 4, as shown.In this manner each side of the body or frame construction is in theform of a compound of vertically-disposed braces 14 are interposedbetween the base-bars 1 and the forward curved portions of the upperbars 11; and these vertical braces are connected by a transversehorizontal bar 15, which forms the support for the front edge of thepassengerseat.

16 represents the seat-post tube, the lower end of which connects withand is supported from the transverse bar 6 of the base-frame, the upperend thereof being provided with a seat-post socket which is connectedwith and braced relatively to one side of the body or frame constructedby means of a horizontallydisposed bar 17. Neither the seatrpost socketnor tube 16 is connected with the opposite side of the frame, the objectbeing to leave an open space upon that side of the socket for permittingthe rider to enter the vehicle at the rear, pass to one side of thesaddle and the seatpost socket and to the interior of the bodyconstruction preparatory to getting into the saddle. The seat postsocket is further braced by means of a downwardly and rearwardlyinclining bar 18, connected to said socket at its upper end and to atransverse bar 19, interposed between and connecting thedownwardly-inclining rear ends of the base-bars 1, as shown in Fig. 2.This c0mpletes the construction of the frame or body of the vehicle, andas the various bars and braces above referred to consist of thin steeltubing a very light and at the same time a very stiff and rigid frame isobtained which is capable of supporting the weight of the rider and inaddition thereto the weight of two or more passengers.

Proceeding now to the description of the driving mechanism, 20designates asprocket- Wheel which is secured to the revolubledriving-shaft 4, and from this sprocket-Wheel a drivechain 21 extendsforward to and passes around the main driving-sprocket 22, fast on ashort transverse shaft 23, revolubly mounted in a bearing-hanger 24,pivotally connected with and suspended from the verticallydisposedsteering-post tube 25, arranged in proximal relation to the center ofthe machine, as shown. The steering-post tube 25 is rigidly connected atits lower extremity to the center of the transverse bars 7, abovereferred to, and also connects rigidly at its upper end with the uppertransverse bar 13, also described hereinabove. The sprocket-shaft 23 hassecured rigidly to each of its ends a crank 26, and these cranks areconnected with the main driving or speed levers 27 by means ofinterposed pivotal links 28, thus enabling the levers 27 tobe'connect-ed to the machineframe by a stationary fulcrum, a transversehorizontal rod 29 constituting said fulcrum. The bar or rod 29 isinterposed between the forward pair of inclined braces 12 and is securedthereto by means of a pair of clips or straps 30, which embrace thebraces 12 in such manner as to permit of a sliding movement thereon anda consequent up and down adjustment of the fulcrum-bar 29. Thus thepivotal connection of the speed-levers 27 with the frame may beregulated to suit the riders convenience, according as to whether he istall or short of stature. In order to dispose the levers 27 at asufficiently low altitude, an inverted-V-shaped bracket 31 is secured tothe upper edge of each of said levers, and this is formed at its apexwith a bearing-eye for the reception of the bolt or pivot 32, whichjournals the upper extremity of the connecting link or bar 28, as shownin Figs. 3 and 5. This construction effects the lowering of thespeed-levers 27 to a point which will bring the pedals into the desiredrelation to the riders feet. The driving mechanism above describedpermits the machine to be readily propelled either forward or backward,as may be desired, and is especially designed for use on level andsmooth roads.

In order to provide for the propulsion of the vehicle over rough anduneven roads and up steep inclines, a pair of power-levers 34 issupplied, and these are arranged in a higher plane than the speed-levers27, and also arranged in closer proximity to the steeringpost tube 25,so as to operate between the speed-levers 27. The levers 34 have pedals35 at their rear ends, and are fulcrumed at their advance ends upon atransverse horizontal rod 36, connecting the forward pair of inclinedbraces 12. The levers 34 are also formed adjacent to their fulcrums withdownward extensions 37, from which horizontally-disposed connecting rodsor bars 38 extend rearwardly and connect pivotally to theupperextremities of levers 39, j ournaled upon the main sprocket-shaft23 or upon the bearing-sleeve in which said shaft revolves. Each of thelevers 39 carries a gravity-pawl 40,which engages a ratchet-disk 41,secured fast on the main sprocket-shaft 23. When the levers 34 aredepressed, the horizontally-disposed rods or bars 38 are drawn forward,thus rocking the levers 39 and causing the pawls 4O thereon to actuatethe ratchet-disks 41 and rotate the shaft 23 in a direction which willpropel the machine forward, and the parts just referred to are soproportioned and fulcrumed that greatly increased power will be affordedthereby, in the propulsion of the vehicle, as compared with thespeed-levers 27. The levers 34 are supported in advance of theirfulcrums by means of a chain 42, which is attached at its oppositeextremities to said levers and passes over a sprocket-wheel 43, journaled on a stud on the steering-post tube. As one of the levers 34 isdepressed the other lever is correspondingly elevated by the chain 42.

44 designates a cross-head secured to the steering-post tube andprojecting laterally upon each side thereof, said cross-head beingprovided with notches 45 for the reception of a flexible cord 46, theopposite extremities of which are attached to the pawls 40, abovereferred to, and the central portion of which passes around the tube 25,where it is within reach of the rider. The cord 46 is also provided atsuitable points with knots 47, which are adapted to engage behind thenotches 45 IIO of the cross-head and serve as stops for upholding thepawls 40 out of engagement with their respective ratchet-wheels 41 forthrowing the power-levers out of gear with the main sprocketshaft. Whentraveling over smooth and level roads, the pawls 40 are thrown out ofengagement with the ratchet-wheels 41, after which the chain 42 may belifted oif the sprocket wheel 43 and lowered until the power-levers 34rest upon the floor of the vehicle, where they will be out of the wayand not interfere with the proper working of the speed-levers 27.

48 designates the passengers seat,which is preferably formed from anysuitable meshed fabric or wicker work, the opposite side edges thereofbeing reinforced and held in proper shape by means of angular formers49, and the central portion thereof being supported by means of two ormore angular straps 50,

which at their forward ends embrace the transverse horizontal bar 15 andat their rear ends are hooked over a transverse bar 51, connecting theforward pair of inclined braces 12. The width of this seat correspondsto the width of the frame or body construction,

and by reason of the particular manner in which the same is supported itis capable of accommodating two passengers. The baseframe of the vehicleis also covered with similar meshed or woven fabric from the front edgeof said frame as far back as the steering-post tube, and at this pointsuch fabric is divided and extends rearwardly upon each side of thecenter of the machine, reaching to and connecting with the transverseconnecting-bar 19, above described. This fabric forms a light anddurable flooring for the vehicle, and by extending the same rearwardly,as described, ample room is also provided for carrying packages, the.

The vehicle is supported at its front end upon two caster-wheels 52, onebeneath each forward corner of the frame. These wheels 52 are journaledin forks 53, and the upright spindle portions 54 of said forks are inturn journaled in a pair of vertically-disposed sleeves 55, secured inany convenient manner to the machine-frame.

Secured fixedly upon the upright spindle portion of each of the forks isa sprocketwheel 56, around which passes a section of sprocket-chain 57,from which draft-rods 58 converge rearwardly and connect with a similarsection of sprocket chain 59, passing around a sprocket-wheel 60, faston the lower extremity of the steering-post or handle-bar stem 61, asshown in Figs. 2 and The other ends of the chain-sections 57 connectwith draft-rods 62, which extend transversely of the machine toward eachother, passing through pendent guiding-brackets 63, and threaded attheir extremities, where they are engaged by a turnbuckle 64.

designates a pair of springs arranged upon opposite sides of theturnbuckle 64 and interposed between the same and the pendent brackets63 referred to.

The turnbuckle 64 provides for taking up any slack in the flexiblechain-and-rod device, and'the springs 65 serve to keep the guidingcaster-wheels 52 in proper alinement for directing the course of themachine in a straight line.

The sprocket-wheel 60 on the lower end of the handle-bar stem 61 is madelarger than the sprockets 56 on the fork-stems 54, so that a slightmovement of the handle-bar 66 will swing the guiding-wheels to thedesired angle.

The brake mechanism comprises a vertically'disposed brake-lever 67,fulcrumed at its lower end 011 the transverse frame-bar 6. A strap 68connects with said brake-lever and passes around a pulley or drum 69,fast on the main driving-shaft 4, and thence forward, where it connectswith the transverse bar 19 of the base-frame. By grasping the handle 70of said brake-lever and thrusting the same forward the strap 68 willbind against the drum 69 and impede the rotation of the driving-shaft 4in a manner that will be readily understood. The strap 68 is preferablymade from steel and has upon its inner surface a reinforcing-strip 72,of rubber or leather or similar material,tl1e same constituting awearing or friction shoe, which binds directly against the drum 69 andwhich may be removed when worn and replaced.

In order to prevent the springing of the main driving-shaft 4, anadditional .bearing 73 is arranged near the center of said shaft, fromwhich a tubular brace inclines upwardly and forwardly and connects withthe brace 18 of the seat-post socket or any other convenient point ofthe frame. Truss-rods 74 may also be employed for stiffening the loweror base portion of the frame, in which case such rods are arrangedbeneath the transverse frame-bars and suitable struts '7 5 interposedbetween the latter and the trusses, the

inner adjacent ends of the latter being provided with right and lefthand screw-threads and adjustably connected by means of turnbuckles 7 6.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a very simple,durable, and convenient vehicle is obtained in which two different andindependent driving means are employed, one for propelling the vehicleover smooth and level roads and the other for propelling the same overrough and uneven roads and up steep inclines. The particular arrangementof steering apparatus described permits the placing of a steeringcaster-wheel beneath each of the forward corners of the machine-frame,which, together with a similar arrangement of the driving-wheels at therear of the machine, serves to support the vehicle equally at allpoints.

It will also be seen that each side of the framecomprises a compounddiamond frame, which affords greatly-increased strength and stiffness tothe body construction.

It will be apparent that changes in the form,

proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit or sacrificing any of the ad vantages of thisinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a foot-propelled vehicle, a frame of substantially rectangularform comprising spaced lower longitudinal bars connected by crosstie-braces, elevated longitudinal bars located above the said lowerlongitudinal bars and connected thereto by suitable bracing, a seat-posttube arranged centrally between the said longitudinal bars and havingits upper end arranged in about the same horizontal plane with theelevated frame-bars, a rigid and substantially horizontal braceextending from one of the upper bars to the top of the seat-post tube,the axle journaled in the lower portion of the frame, and a braceconnected at one end to the seat-post tube and inclining rearward anddownward and provided at its opposite end with a bearing for said axle,all combined and arranged substantially as described.

2. In a foot-propelled vehicle, the combination with the substantiallyrectangular and horizontal base-frame, and the side frames comprisingthe upper and lower substantially parallel bars braced and connected asdescribed, of a seat-post tube arranged about in the longitudinal centerof the frame, a seatpost socket at the upper end of said tube, and arigid and substantially horizontal brace extending from said socket toone of the side frames, the space between said seat post socket and theother side of the frame being left unobstructed, substantially as andfor the purpose described.

3. In a foot-propelled vehicle, the combination with the substantiallyrectangular and horizontal base-frame, of the transverse axle havingground-wheels at its ends and on opsite sides of the base-frame, thebearings at or near each end of the axle, a supplemental bearing locatedintermediate the ends of said axle in proximity to the sprocket-wheel,and a brace connected at one end to said bearing and extending thencetoward the seat-post tube to which it is rigidly related, whereby theweight of the load is distributed at intervals along the axle and thelatter is prevented from springing intermediate its ends, substantiallyas described.

4:. In afoot-propelled vehicle, the combination with a su bstantiallyrectangular and horizontal base-frame, of a pair of steerin g-wheelsarranged beneath the opposite corners of said frame and journaled inforks thereunder, a sprocket-wheel fast on each fork, the handlebar stemhaving a sprocket-wheel fast thereon, a chain extending around all ofsaid sprocket-wheels, the rods at the ends of the chain formingextensions thereof, and a turnbuckle connecting the adjacent ends ofsaid rods, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a foot-propelled vehicle, the combination with the frame orbodythereof, of a vertically-disposed handle-bar stem, a sprocketwheelthereon, steering-wheels arranged beneath the opposite forward cornersof said body or frame, the vertically-disposed forks in which saidwheels are mounted, the sprocket-wheels fast on said forks, a section ofsprocket-chain passing partially around each of said sprocket-wheels,draft-rods interposed between and connecting said chainsections,aturnbuckle interposed between and connecting the threaded inner ends oftwo of said draft-rods, and a pair of springs arranged on opposite sidesof said turnbuckle and interposed between the same and suitable fixedbrackets or stops, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a foot-propelled vehicle, the combination with the driving-shaft,of a ratchet-wheel fast thereon, a lever and pawl for imparting motionthereto, and a suspension-cord connected to said pawl and provided witha stop whereby it may be engaged with the machineframe for the purposeof holding the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel,substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE G. J. MILLAR.

WVitnesses:

LUKE G. BYRNE, W. H. ENGLISH.

